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Don’t demonise African traditions, religion
Kwame Akoto Bamfo
A Ghanaian Sculptor and Cultural Activist, Kwame Akoto Bamfo has urged Black people to stop demonising African traditions and religions.
“We must rather striveto encourage tolerance to foster development,” he said.
In a presentation to climax the Black History Month celebrations by the U.S Embassy in Accra which ended in February this year, he said, there was a lot in black people and Africans, hence the need to be tolerant with one another and undemonise African tradition and religion.
His presentation was themed, “Through the Eyes and Hands of the Mounted Abstract: A look at the ‘Image’ of African Traditional Religion and Arts during and after the Trans-Atlantic Trade.”
According to him, “We need to learn to see our own through our own lenses. Let’s be tolerant with each other, engage with traditionalists and find out the truth,” he stated.
Kwame Bamfo said it was wrong for people to be called demon because of the beliefs and practices as that could cause disturbances in the country.
“Let us give ourselves time to see the benefits of religious tolerance and desist from discriminating against our own people,” he stated.
“We must respect each other’s culture and most importantly not look down on our own and stop the unnecessary friction. We need to start questioning anything that would let us not accept another African and make one feel less of a person,” he said.
He added that, Africans can be better and provide adequate services without getting educated through the European system.
“We have reduced craftsmanship and excellence to education and everything we do have to be filtered through European eye and language,” he stated.
“We need to demystify knowledge and intelligence which is not measured by how best you can speak English but rather a matter of problem solving,” he added.
“If we uphold our language and traditional systems, we would be better as a people. We could have access to intelligent craftsmen and pay less for it. We are currently misusing our human resources,” he stressed.
He said, there were very intelligent individuals who could not survive since they could not afford education or the educational system was not favourable to them.
“It is about time, the educated class or elites give way to traditional language and belief systems for our own good,” he stated.
The event brought together students from the Pentecost University College, Achimota Senior High School, Accra Girls Senior High School, Oreilly Secondary School, UNIMAC-NAFTI and Holy Trinity Cathedral Senior High School.
The Black History Month is marked every February to honour the contributions of African- Americans who have shaped the history, culture, character and diversity of the United States of America (USA).
By Michael D. Abayateye
The Ashanti South Regional Police Intelligence Directorate has arrested two suspects in connection with a robbery attack on an Indian national in Obuasi and a separately planned robbery operation targeting a distribution company in the same area.
On April 16, 2026, Police received credible intelligence that a group of armed men were planning an attack in Obuasi. A police team moved swiftly into the area and arrested suspect Iddrisu Fuseini, also known as “Iddi”, at his hideout in Bedieso, Obuasi.
During interrogation, he confessed to being part of a six-member gang that attacked an Indian national at his residence at New Baakoyeden, Obuasi, on April 12 2026, robbing him of GH₵150,000.00.
He disclosed that the attack was orchestrated following a tip-off from suspect Ibrahim, an employee of the victim, who informed the gang that the victim kept large sums of money.
Further investigations led to the arrest of a second suspect, Shaibu Mohammed, also known as “SM” or “Cicinati”, on 20th April 2026 at his hideout in Gausu, Obuasi. During interrogation, he admitted to participating in the planning of the robbery and confirmed that the gang had further planned to rob a distribution company near Mawuli Hotel in Obuasi.
Investigations have further revealed that both suspects are currently standing trial at the Obuasi Circuit Court in connection with a separate robbery of GH₵600,000.00.
A manhunt is ongoing to arrest the remaining accomplices, identified as Khalifa, Edward, Prof, Waddle, Ebbe, and Ibrahim, and to recover a pump action gun and a locally manufactured pistol believed to be in their possession.
The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr. Christian Tetteh Yohuno, together with members of the Police Management Board (POMAB), on April 17, 2026, decorated nineteen (19) senior officers who have been promoted to their next ranks based on the recommendations of the Police Council and approval of the President, John Dramani Mahama.
The ceremony, held at the National Police Headquarters in Accra, forms part of efforts to recognise merit, dedication, and long-standing service within the Ghana Police Service, while strengthening leadership across key operational and administrative levels.
The officers promoted from Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) to Commissioner of Police (COP) are Dr. Luke Asue-In-Yeng Zakpaa, Mr. Frederick Agyei, Mr. Duuti Tuaruka, Mr. Arthur Osei-Akoto, Mr. Darko Offei Lomotey, Mr. Eric Ken Winful, Mr. Barnabas Nambont Nasumong, and Mr. Desmond Owusu Boampong.
The IGP and members of POMAB congratulated the officers and urged them to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and integrity in the discharge of their duties.
